[Diabetic care in Norwegian general practice. A report of current status from Salten and some regions in Rogaland]. / Diabetesomsorg i norsk allmennpraksis. En tilstandsrapport fra Salten og deler av Rogaland.

Few published data are available on the quality of diabetic care in Norway. This applies both to general practice and to hospital clinics. We reviewed the notes of 1,876 diabetic patients who were registered with general practitioners in Salten and Rogaland to assess the quality of care with reference to the Norwegian College of General Practitioners' guidelines for diabetic care. 89% of patients were classified as having type-2 diabetes. Hospital clinics were responsible for the care of 93 patients. Analysis of the results showed that during the last 12 months Hb A1c and blood pressure had been measured in 84 and in 86% of those patients under the care of their general practitioner. Some inspection of the foot had been carried out in 45% of the patients, and 37% of the patients had been referred to an ophthalmologist. Guideline targets for glycaemic control had been achieved in 46% of patients younger than 70 years of age (Hb A1c < 7.5%), and in 82% of patients older than 69 years of age (Hb A1c < 9%). Diabetic patients on insulin therapy had the worst glycaemic control. The study shows that the quality of diabetic care is not optimal, examination of the foot, referral for eye examination and glycaemic control of diabetic patients on insulin therapy are examples of areas where improvement is needed.